Charles Santore

Charles Joseph Santore (March 16, 1935 – August 11, 2019) was an American illustrator best known for his children's books. His work is on display permanently at the Brandywine River Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. He won the Hamilton King award from the New York Society of Illustrators in 1972. His book William the Curious was honored in the 1998 Storytelling World 'Stories for Pre-Adolescent Listeners' category. His most popular works include his celebrity portraits for TV Guide. Santore died on August 11, 2019.

Background Santore was born in Philadelphia in 1935 and attended the Museum School of Art (which is now the University of the Arts) where he studied illustration. When he graduated in 1956, he served in the Army and then returned to Philadelphia to work in a small art studio. He started to get assignments from the N.W. Ayer Agency and his first editorial assignment was for the old Saturday Evening Post headquartered in Philadelphia.

Personal life Santore married Olenka (née Litynski) in 1963. Together, their Philadelphia home featured a collection of early American folk paintings. Santore died in 2019 at the age of 84; he was predeceased by his wife four months earlier. The couple were survived by their daughter, two sons, and three grandchildren.

Books Santore spent two years illustrating each of his own books, including those by other authors.

Permanent collections His illustrations are part of the permanent collections at many locations including: the Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, The United States Department of the Interior, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. and many private collections.

Awards Hamilton King Award from the New York Society of Illustrators Gold medal from the New York Society of Publication Designers "Edgar" from the Mystery Writers of America